Ferrocenyl-nitrogen donor ligands. Synthesis and characterization of rhodium(I) complexes of ferrocenylpyridine and related ligands

The preparation of a series of complexes of the types [RhCl(CO)2(L)], [RhCl(cod)(L)] and [Rh(cod)(L)2]ClO4, where L is a ligand incorporating a ferrocenyl group and a pyridine ring is described. Complexes were characterized using NMR, IR and electronic spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour of the complexes was examined using cyclic voltammetry. The X-ray structures of three of the complexes, [RhCl(CO)2{NC5H4Cdouble bond; length as m-dashNC6H4(η5-C5H4)Fe(η5-C5H5)}], [RhCl(cod)(3-Fcpy)] and [RhCl(cod){3-Fc(C6H4)py}], were determined.